The name Coffink finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a person who made baskets. The surname Coffink is derived from the Old French words cofin and coffin, which in turn come from the Late Latin word cophinus, which means basket.Occupational names such as this one frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. These types of occupational surnames are called metonymic surnames. The English word coffin is a specialized development of this word which did not exist before the 16th century. The surname Coffink may also be a nickname derived from the Latin word calvus, which means bald.

Coffink Early Origins

The surname Coffink was first found in Devon at Alwington, a parish, in the union of Bideford, hundred of Shebbear, Great Torrington. "In the church [of Alwington], over the door of the chancel, is a curious ancient monument to a member of the Coffin family." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

Coffink Spelling Variations

Coffink Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Coffink has been recorded under many different variations, including Coffin, Coffyn, Colvin, Caffin, Caffyn, Chafen, Chaffine and many more.

Coffink Early History

Coffink Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coffink research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Coffink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coffink Early Notables (pre 1700)

Coffink Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Coffink Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Coffink or a variant listed above: Francis Coffin who settled in Virginia in 1635.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Crozier, William Armstrong Edition. Crozier's General Armory A Registry of American Families Entitled to Coat Armor. New York: Fox, Duffield, 1904. Print.

Bede, The Venerable. Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History Of the English People). Available through Internet Medieval Sourcebook the Fordham University Centre for Medieval Studies. Print.

The Coffink Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Coffink Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.